Latest Defender gets surprise 350hp diesel
The most powerful Ingenium oil burner was always denied to the Land Rover Defender - until now
There isn’t a whole heap of stuff to get excited about in the MY25 Defender update. There hardly needs to be, of course - the Defender is probably the most likeable car Land Rover currently makes, all things considered. It is still the proverbial hot cake in showrooms, too. Accordingly, this upgrade is mostly about streamlining trim packs and introducing individual ‘Captain Chairs’ to the second row of the 130. Seismic it ain’t.
Except, perhaps, for the introduction of a ‘powerful, flexible new engine option’ in the shape of the D350. This replaces the current range-topping D300 Ingenium diesel and means that buyers get an uplift of 50hp, alongside 516lb ft of torque - significantly more than you get from the petrol V8. Land Rover doesn’t get bogged down in performance figures, but on the basis that the same unit hustles the latest Range Rover Sport to 62mph in 5.9 seconds (and the ‘old’ 110 D300 managed it in 7.0 seconds) we’re going to split the difference and say that 6.5 seconds sounds reasonable. Which is a handy upgrade in a notoriously heavy SUV.
For the manufacturer’s part, it suggests that the D350 'helps Defender to be more engaging than ever with greater flexibility and faster responses, meaning everything from overtaking to towing is even more effortless.’ And on the basis that the D300 already delivered a nice line in flexibility, overtaking and towing, we’re inclined to think this is probably the version you’re going to want even allowing for the wanton silliness of the V8 (unless you’ve already put your name down for the potentially epic OCTA).
Other than the thought of yet more power sluicing from JLR’s melodic straight six, the next most significant thing is probably the introduction of something called the 110 Sedona Edition (pictured). When we tell you that it is called 'Sedona' because Sedona, Arizona provided the inspiration for the paint colour (a deep red hue offset by an Extended Black Pack and 22-inch Gloss Black alloy wheels) you’ll likely have grasped what it’s all about. Which saves us from banging on about it.
The Captain Chairs in the 130 are more interesting, if only because they’re partly a practical solution. By providing two individual, armrest-equipped chairs for those in the second row, Land Rover can not only claim superior comfort, but also gain for the biggest Defender a proper aisle - which, of course, means unfettered access to the third row as well as letting the poor sod assigned to the middle seat stretch his (or her) legs out. And because there’s still a three-person bench back there, the 130 is still a usable seven-seater. Probably more usable than it was as a eight-seater, in fact.
Finally, there are those option packs. Most of these are familiar (albeit re-organised), although the one Land Rover is particularly keen to shout about is the new Signature Interior Pack, which, alongside installing heated seats throughout the cabin, also adds material upgrades for improved tactility and new pockets on either side of the centre console. Honestly though we prefer the sound of the new Pro Pack for the Hard Top, which incorporates pretty much everything you’d want to pimp out your commercial-grade Defender, including air suspension and the electrically deployable tow bar. Throw in the D350 lump and you’ve got all the gnarly off-roader you’ll ever need.
Quite surprised that the 6cyl petrol is replaced with the supercharged V8 for emissions reasons, thought they had stopped making the V8?
For example, there’s a dark red that MrsLT wanted on her 110 that for some reason was 130 only.
For example, there’s a dark red that MrsLT wanted on her 110 that for some reason was 130 only.
Quite surprised that the 6cyl petrol is replaced with the supercharged V8 for emissions reasons, thought they had stopped making the V8?
Quite surprised that the 6cyl petrol is replaced with the supercharged V8 for emissions reasons, thought they had stopped making the V8?
I am also disappointed they are dropping all the non X dynamic choice. That goes against all the proper paint colours they offer - and, really, a “dynamic” defender? Land Rover should be free of the stupid (imho obviously!) trend for the amg/m/sport models to be the “new luxury” bah!
I think a 3dr Defender is a properly cool car as well.
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I’m fairly sure that’s the Sedona red shown above. Great colour but previously only available on the 130.
The D250 in my Defender is a great engine but I slightly regret not getting the D300 and the D350 will be a really quite swift car. As far as I know it’s the same engine and a chip upgrade would unlock the extra power. I’m tempted but don’t want to void the warranty. I also think I’d want a brake upgrade to go with that.
LR pricing means that you have to get a higher option pack, of dubious taste and benefit, to get the strongest engine. The marginal cost makes for a less attractive package value wise.
I’d be amazed if they really have dropped the 6 cylinder petrol. That’s the main selling engine in the US.
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